Research Interests:
The overall goal of my research program is to understand the molecular mechanisms and cellular functions of specific oncogenes, tumor suppressor genes, miRNAs/target genes, and their associated pathways/genetic networks, in the regulation of the properties of cancer/leukemic stem cells, signal transduction events, metabolism/mitochondria vulnerabilities, immune responses and initiation and progression of human leukemia and drug resistance. The ultimate objective is to identify and characterize key druggable molecules and pathways, using our well-established in vitro and patient-derived xenotransplantation (PDX) models, which will lead to new, rationally designed, more effective, and less toxic, personalized anti-cancer therapies. In particular, we are extremely interested in developing mechanism-based combination therapeutic strategies that can directly target drug-insensitive leukemic stem cells and mutated drug-resistant cells, to improve outcomes in leukemia patients, especially those destined to develop drug resistance. In collaboration with pharmaceutical companies, we have also been testing new therapeutic agents/inhibitors and combination treatment strategies that can effectively eradicate drug-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) stem/progenitor cells, by exploring novel oncolytic virotherapy, immunotherapy and nonviral gene therapy. These studies have led to several FDA-approved drugs for the treatment of leukemia patients.